Bears multitasker Danieal Manning brings speed, power to two positions

Friday

Oct 22, 2010 at 12:01 AMOct 22, 2010 at 10:20 PM

LAKE FOREST — Danieal Manning has played cornerback. He has played both safety positions. He has played in the nickel and dime packages. And he has stepped in as a return man when the team needed him.

Jay Taft

LAKE FOREST — Danieal Manning has played cornerback. He has played both safety positions. He has played in the nickel and dime packages. And he has stepped in as a return man when the team needed him.

This year, he is focusing on just two roles — strong safety and deep man on kickoffs — and he is proving he belongs by stepping up his play every weekend.

“Most of the time he was out there doing a whole lot of stuff. He’s played corner, nickel, safety, he’s done it all,” second-year cornerback D.J. Moore said of Manning. “He’s fast, he’s quick, he’s strong, and he can do it all. But this year, even in the offseason, he’s been in one spot on defense, and now he’s got it down.”

Manning has been the team’s starting strong safety in all six games, and is tied for second on the team with 33 tackles and four passes defended. He also has been the Bears’ primary kickoff return man since he took over for Devin Hester — who moved over to full-time wide receiver — midway through the 2008 season.

Nowadays he’s doing so well at those two spots that no one wants to mess with him anymore.

“Danieal has always been a very good return man,” said fourth-year Bear Corey Graham, also a DB and a big-time special teams contributor. “He’s always made plays back there, and he’s a threat to take it all the way back every time he touches it.

“On defense, it’s clear to see he knows what he’s doing. He’s playing well at both spots, everybody can see that.”

Manning has 13 kickoff returns for 355 yards, 10th in the league with a 27.3-yards-a-return average, with a long of 62 yards. In his first year as a return man, he became the first Bear to return an opening-game kickoff for a touchdown since 1972 when he darted 83 yards for a score in December 2008.

He hasn’t had a long touchdown since, but seems to be on the verge at times.

“He’s a great kickoff returner, and it’s coming,” Bears head coach Lovie Smith said. “We’re always looking to score points any way we can, and he can do some special things back there.”

On defense last year, he had 77 tackles while making 10 starts at free safety. He also had one interception, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He was the Bears’ starting nickel back in 2008.

The 5-foot-11, 202-pound late-round draft pick out of Abilene Christian has been in the league for five seasons now, and instead of resenting the fact that he has been moved around a lot, he appreciates the opportunity to learn it all.

“I’m glad I had a chance to move around. I learned a lot about the defense and exactly how the defense works and how it all unfolds,” he said. “It’s all just a challenge, and I like challenges. You want to be the best at your position. And if I can be the guy, and do my thing, I know it’s going to help improve this team, and help it win.”

Still, Manning knows he can get better. He also knows the Bears can get better as a whole, especially after Sunday’s 23-20 setback loss to Seattle.

“When we’re peaking, we’re getting multiple turnovers and just owning the game. When we get six turnovers, the defense scoring, special teams scoring, our offense is putting points on the board and our defense is holding a team to no points, that’s when we’re peaking,” Manning said. “I know it sounds like a lot, but this can be a very good team. That’s an ideal game. We’re getting closer.”

Bears reporter Jay Taft can be reached at 815-987-1384 or jtaft@rrstar.com.